Chair

Join the Florence Nightingale Museum as its next Chair and lead this beloved institution into its exciting next chapter - honouring a global icon, inspiring young minds, and shaping a bold, inclusive future.

Applications close: 9 a.m. Friday 12th September 2025

Location: London, SE1 7EP

Time commitment: 1 – 2 days per month

About Florence Nightingale Museum

The Florence Nightingale Museum is a much-loved cultural institution that celebrates the life, work and enduring impact of one of history’s most iconic figures. Situated within St Thomas’ Hospital, just across Westminster Bridge, it brings to life the story of Florence Nightingale – pioneer of modern nursing, statistics, and public health reform – through immersive storytelling, personal artefacts, and dynamic exhibitions.

Visitors journey through Nightingale’s privileged childhood, her revolutionary work in the Crimean War, and her lifelong dedication to healthcare reform. The museum holds over 800 of her letters and a rare book collection, drawing school groups, researchers, healthcare professionals and history lovers from around the world. For many children, it’s their first museum experience, providing an inspiring introduction to the power of history, healthcare, and activism.

About the role

As an entirely self-funded charity, the museum is now poised for an exciting new chapter. With visitor numbers recovering post-pandemic and fresh ambitions for growth, the museum is seeking a dynamic and visionary Chair to lead its Board of Trustees.

This is a rare opportunity to lead in shaping the future of this unique institution – supporting its strategic direction, championing its work, and helping it continue to inspire, educate and lead conversations around health, history, and care.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for a confident, collaborative leader with a strategic mindset and a deep appreciation for the museum’s mission. You will bring both passion and pragmatism – able to guide the organisation through an exciting period of development while ensuring sound governance and long-term sustainability.

You will possess:

• Proven strategic leadership with experience chairing boards or leading organisations through growth or change
• Strong governance understanding, including financial oversight and charity board responsibilities
• Excellent communication and influencing skills, able to represent the museum externally and build relationships across sectors
• An inclusive, thoughtful approach to leadership valuing collaboration, diversity and different perspectives
• The ability to act as a critical friend, supporting and constructively challenging the General Manager and wider team
• Advocacy and fundraising insight with an understanding of how to build profile, partnerships and resources.

While a background in museums or healthcare is not essential, candidates should be motivated by Florence Nightingale’s legacy and its ongoing relevance to nursing, public health, and social justice. A forward-thinking perspective and a willingness to invest time and energy into the museum’s success are key.

Please click 'Apply’ to be redirected to the Peridot Partners website, where you can find full details of the candidate profile and register your interest to apply.

Applications for this role close at 9 a.m. Friday 12th September 2025.